I love all things steampunk, so when I came along the Lace Up Hot Air Balloon I knew I wanted to create a great flying contraption of my own…even if it was made of paper!

Using a handful of supplies, many I’m sure most of you crafty folk already have, I made this shining balloon to use in scrapbooking and card-making projects, or you can attach it to a magnet and hang it on the fridge!

Steam Punk Hot Air Balloon

The first step of this project was covering the bracing and basket pieces with the gold label paper.

I realize that everyone might not have gold label paper, any metal colored paper will do. In fact, this might be an excellent opportunity to try out your paint or stamping techniques to create a faux sheet of metal.

Secondly, I used a bit of glue to cover the balloon chipboard piece with a cool checkered paper from an old Flow book. Have you checked these books out? They are a paper lover’s dream!

With all the pieces I just used scissors to trim away excess paper, but if you have a craft knife, it’d be even easier.

The ropes were not nearly as complicated as I thought they’d be!

First, I looped six pieces of the elastic thread through the bracing piece and then the top of the balloon. I used hot glue to secure the ends to the back of the balloon.

Second, I repeated the process with a thick quilting thread, but from the bracing to the basket. *You don’t want to glue these strings down just yet, so make sure they are plenty long enough.

Third, I stretched the bracing down to where I wanted it and hot glued it into place.

Finally, I flipped over the entire project, pulled down the basket so that all the strings were even, and hot glued everything into place.

This project was so much easier than I thought I was going to be! I’m sorry I didn’t get more complicated and create a clever steam-punk inspired pattern with the “ropes!”

It’s summertime, well, not officially, but close enough, right? The heat of the coming months makes this the season for reptiles. While we have plenty of snakes to contend with we don’t have alligators in Missouri. As long as you don’t count this alligator collage we made using the Alligator Totem Poppet.

To celebrate the start of summer the 3-year-old and I made this super simple collage to house our scary alligator. Here’s how you can make one of your own!

Alligator Collage

When you’re crafting with younger ones, you’ve got to have everything ready to go. So be sure to set out all your supplies so when one portion of the project loses it’s appeal you can move on to the next step without much fuss.

First, we started our river scene by glueing ripped brown and beige pieces to the sides a blue sheet of scrapbooking paper.

From there we added little scraps, here and there to break up the starkness of the page. Truth be told, I’d hoped for this to be more like a mosaic, but, the toddler had other plans.

Using this stylus (by Colorbox®) made it easy for my little artist to use ink to color in our alligator using a couple different shades of green, gold, and brown.

For the next two steps I was on my own. I used the accent ink to add spots, bumps, dots, whatever you want to call them to our gator.

Once everything dried I used the mini brads to put the reptile together. As you can see in the picture, I like to lay it out how it’ll go and use the picture that comes with it as a guide.

Now, we used a tiny bit of double-sided tape to place our alligator on the paper river, but you could always glue it down. It depends on if you want to move it and play with it. My kids always want to play with them first.

So, what are you’re plans for the summer? Do you live in alligator country?

There are few cultures whose fables and lore are untouched by the mythical dragon. It has long been the center of fascination and to this day the cause for celebrations. Did you know, for over 2000 years the Dragon Boat Festival has been taking place in China? This year the event will be taking place at the end of next month at cities around the world.

To commemorate this beautiful creature the kids and I created our own Dragon totem. Instead of the usual green or red dragons we decided to use shades of black, white, and silver. Here’s how you can put together, and embellished, your own dragon poppet.

Feathered Dragon Totem Poppet

First, sponge paint the pieces while they’re still attached to the packaging. It is much easier and cleaner than painting them individually.

Second, after the pieces have dried, pop them out and begin putting them together using the black mini brads. You can use the photo included with the poppet as a guide.

Third, use the glitter glue to attach sequins and other embellishments to your dragon. You can use regular glue as well, the glitter just ads a bit of sparkle. You know, legend tells, that most dragons are particularly fond of shimmer and shine.

After everything has dried flip over your dragon and glue feathers to the main body to create wings.

You’ll also want to take this moment to attach a dowel or skewer to make it easier to hold and play with the poppet.

This would be such a fun craft to make during a birthday party or with a group of children. Be sure to encourage each child to use their own color palette to make their dragon unique.

From there, you can use the dragon to tell a story, act out a scene from a favorite movie, or just play pretend!

Fun Valentine’s Day Kids Craft Project!

Live FaceBook Tutorial with MyKidsTime This Fri. Feb. 3 at 10am!!

Thanks for joining us during our fun -and crazy- kids craft time! The live video is available on MyKidsTime FB page and will soon be available on YouTube as well as here.

Here’s our final Valentines Day card using the Lace-Up Broken Heart:

The inside of our kids craft for Valentine’s Day.A second version of our kids craft for Valentine’s Day.The inside of the second version of our kids craft for Valentine’s Day.

Scroll to the end for your discount code!

Thanks for watching!!!

DETAILS:

This Fri. Feb. 3 at 10am Erin, the owner and founder of EyeConnect, and her son Elon -age 5- will show you how to make a fun simple kids craft for Valentines Day. Join us live as we paint, stamp and lace-up 2 of our Lace-Up Hearts is a simple kids craft idea for Valentines Day.

Tune in on MyKidsTime’s Facebook page at 10 AM EST Fri. Feb. 3 for this short and easy kid’s Valentines Day craft tutorial!

If you’d like to craft along with us or if you’re visiting after the live feed here is a supplies list of all of the different materials that we utilized in the craft. And of course please feel free to alter or substitute anything that you may have, that is part of the fun of crafting, experimenting!

And make sure to watch to the end, as I offer a discount code for all of the people that joined us on Facebook live! Thanks for watching! Have fun crafting!

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today and I’ve created a spooky owl shadowbox. It’s almost Halloween and the decorating is just beginning.

With Halloween drawing near, it’s always fun to create some spooky projects. Check out the Eyeconnect store and see all the fun projects you can make. I’ve used the Totem Owl opting to gesso it first. I find that adding gesso to the chipboard pieces first allows the colors I want to use really stand out.

I decided used the reverse side of the canvas to create a shadow box. First I added gesso around the edges of the canvas, then painted the edges of the canvas with black paint. Using a stencil, I added molding paste to create a textured background.

Next I spritzed colors in the shadowbox.

The owl was adhered to the lower corner and the moon was adhered to the upper corner.

Finally I added a spooky banner with some wiggly eyes peaking out. Then a spider was added along with some gauze.

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today and I’ve created a spooky Halloween card today. October is not too far away so it is time to get ready for Halloween. This quick and easy card uses the Totem Cat as the focal element.

I wanted to keep my card simple, so I stamped the card with a collection of Halloween stamps from Joy Clair stamps.

I painted the chipboard black before separating the pieces.

Once assembled with brads, the cat looks amazing popped on the card as the focal point.

ATCs are fun mini canvases that are free to be embellished as you desire. Consider inking or painting the backgrounds – the options are unlimited. I painted and then inked with distress inks. Using molding paste through a stencil created some additional dimension.

Once the molding paste dried, I sprayed the panels with assorted colors of spray inks. Torn papers and assorted embellishments were added to each panel.

Once I liked their placement, I adhered all the elements using mini black brads. Of course, the placement of the elements changed on the final panels as I rearranged everything again. And I mixed in some other elements I found – metal gears, acrylic stars, wood labels and tiny mirrors.

14 Cute, Fun and Educational Beach Crafts

It’s summer, and that means it’s time to head for the beach! In celebration of vacations on the beach I’ve rounded up 14 of our beach inspired craft projects.

So, when the kids are sun-burnt and you need to take a break from the heat, break out your craft bag and these fun craft ideas! Ply them with a fun beach themed craft to remember their trip. Don’t forget to pack your craft supplies!

Beach Craft Project Idea#1.

This supper cute Seaside Mini Crate would be perfect for storing hair ties and accessories in the bathroom.

What They Are Saying About Our Products…

“For anyone who has ever wished they could draw animals and the position right, or just add symbolism or dimensional interest to their projects, EyeConnect Crafts has the answer! … Made from 100% recycled chipboard, these unique chipboard products can be used in multiple paper crafting applications, from scrapbooks, art journals, and greeting cards to home decor and DIY projects.”

Stamp & Scrap Magazine, by Gail GreenStamp & Scrap Arts Magazine!

“Made from 100 recyclable materials, these DIY cardboard cutouts from EyeConnect Crafts are sure to spice up your stamping routine. Paper dolls are more popular than ever, and many Lace-Ups would compliment any stamped dolls perfectly. These funky cardboard shapes are easy to use – all you have to do is pop them out, embellish, string them up and you’ve got an intriguing accent to add to your stamped collage or diorama. String up such designs as the garter and corset with distressed ribbon for a shabby chic appearance. Try adding eyelets for an extra industrial effect!”

“I fell for EyeConnect Crafts’ Totem Poppets the minute I saw them. What captured me right away and has held my interest over the years is the design and how different they are from everything else in the world of paper crafts and mixed media. They are graphic and graceful, intelligent and sophisticated without being too offbeat, beautifully crafted, fun to use; neither too large nor too small. The story of each totem animal is an added bonus. I’ve always had an affinity for elephants and turtles. Now I know why! Like Goldilocks’ porridge: Just right!”